Author: bukoye

Rwandans headed to the polls on Monday to elect their president and parliamentary representatives, with incumbent Paul Kagame poised to secure a fourth term in office. Kagame, who has ruled Rwanda since 2000, faces only two challengers, Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana, after several prominent opposition figures were barred from running. Despite his controversial rule, Kagame remains popular among many Rwandans, who credit him with rebuilding the nation after the 1994 genocide. However, his regime has been criticized for its autocratic nature, human rights abuses, and suppression of political opposition. The election has been marked by “severe restrictions” on opposition…

A massive wildfire has forced the evacuation of 9,000 residents in northeastern Canada, officials said Saturday. The towns of Labrador City and Wabush in Newfoundland and Labrador province were evacuated due to the raging blaze. “We are seeing extreme fire behaviour out there. The fire is moving about 50 meters per minute,” said provincial fire duty officer, Jeff Motty. Residents described the scene as “shocking” with enormous clouds of smoke obscuring the sky. The fire has made it impossible for water bombers to be used. The evacuation comes as Canada enters its peak wildfire season, with 575 active fires burning…

Global leaders have united in condemnation of the shooting at a US election rally that left one dead and several wounded, including former President Donald Trump. EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell denounced the attack, saying, “Unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives have no place in our societies.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed shock and emphasized that “political violence in any form has no place in our societies.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished Trump a speedy recovery, hoping that “dialogue and responsibility can prevail over hate and violence.” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “Such violence has no…

Experts in the health sector have joined forces to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria, unveiling a Baby Shower Toolkit to achieve this goal. The initiative, launched by the Centre for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP), targets expectant mothers through religious leaders equipped with toolkits to educate congregations. According to Dr Bola Oyeledun, CEO of CIHP, the toolkit includes guidelines for organizing baby shower events, managing group sizes, and training health assistants. Dr Timothy Efuntoye, US CDC Nigeria Representative, emphasized the importance of regular check-ups and knowing one’s HIV status. Dr Hafsat Iyanda, PMTCT lead of the National AIDS and…

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has lifted restrictions on former US President Donald Trump’s accounts, allowing him to post without penalties. Trump’s accounts were suspended indefinitely in 2021 after his supporters stormed the US Capitol, and he was found to have praised violent behavior on social media. Although reinstated in February 2023, his accounts were subject to heightened suspension penalties for future breaches. However, Meta has now lifted these restrictions, stating that “former President Trump, as the nominee of the Republican Party, will no longer be subject to the heightened suspension penalties.” In a blog post, Meta…

Renowned Afrobeats singer, Davido, has ventured into the tech world with the launch of his own social media application, Chatter. In a post on his official X handle on Friday, Davido announced the launch of Chatter, a social audiovisual utility platform that connects content creators to a lively community and helps magnify their voices. He revealed that he co-owns the application with his close friend, Sir Banko. This marks Davido’s third internet project in the last eight months. However, his previous venture into cryptocurrency, $DAVIDO coin, crashed days after its launch, sparking controversy among cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Chatter aims to provide…

Sudanese authorities have issued a directive ordering all foreigners to vacate the capital city of Khartoum and its surrounding areas within two weeks. The police department responsible for foreign affairs announced the decision, citing the need for foreigners to ensure their safety amidst the ongoing clashes between government forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The move comes as hostility towards foreigners, particularly those from other African nations, has surged in recent times. Reports of foreign mercenaries fighting alongside the RSF have fueled tensions, leading to the detention of over 150 foreigners without valid residence papers just a few…

Former US President Donald Trump has lashed out at actor George Clooney for calling on President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race. Clooney had written an essay praising Biden’s leadership, claiming he “saved” American democracy. Trump reacted via his X handle, labeling Clooney “a fake who never came close to making a great movie.” He questioned Clooney’s expertise, stating, “What does Clooney know about anything? He uses the Democrat ‘talking point’ that Biden, the worst President in the history of the United States, has ‘saved our Democracy.'” Trump argued that Biden’s presidency has been marked by weaponizing…

United States President Joe Biden is set to face a crucial test on Thursday as he holds his first solo press conference in months, amid mounting pressure from his Democratic party to abandon his reelection bid due to concerns over his age and health. The highly anticipated event, dubbed a “big boy” press conference by the White House, will see Biden facing a barrage of questions from journalists, a scenario that has the potential to make or break his already faltering campaign. The 81-year-old president has been under fire since his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, with many Democrats…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reaffirmed its commitment to a ₦250,000 minimum wage, ahead of its meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, today. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, is part of the President’s promise to engage stakeholders on the minimum wage. According to Benson Upah, Head of Public Affairs, NLC, “We are going to the table with our demand of ₦250,000, even as the cost of living has since moved up. We have been very reasonable and patriotic.” This stance comes despite the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage recommending ₦62,000, based on submissions by federal…